HOW TO FIND A WHIPPET BREEDER

FINDING A BREEDER
Copyright 1992 Canis Major Publications
All RIghts Reserved

Once the right breed has been selected, the buyer has to find a breeder, a chore that may be only a bit less difficult than selecting a breed. People begin breeding dogs for all sorts of reasons. Some raise puppies as if they were an agricultural commodity - they do it solely to make money and they give profit and farming both a bad name. These "breeders" sell puppies to brokers, who generally sell them to pet stores, and breed their bitches every time they come into heat, sometimes twice each year. They care little about the health or condition of the parent dogs or about the housing and care they provide adults or puppies. Horror stories abound about puppy factories where dogs are crammed into dirty cages or runs, wallowing in their own filth, with little or no privacy for whelping a litter. Dogs of different breeds often run together, so the "purebred" puppy may not be purebred at all. Puppies are most saleable between seven and 10 weeks of age, when they are at their cutest. Puppy farmers ship pups to brokers at four weeks or younger so that they will get to their retail outlet at optimum sale age. The puppies are shipped by air or hauled by truck, crammed two or three or more to a crate.

Most of the notorious puppy mills and brokerages are located in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin, but Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and a few other states also harbor some of these horrors. Most puppies from puppy mills end up in pet stores.

Backyard breeders
Some backyard breeders got started because they wanted to recoup some of the money they spent on a bitch. Others wanted the children to see a birth or allow the bitch to experience motherhood. Some just want another dog of the same temperament or style or color as their beloved Taffy. Some backyard breeders plan litters for holiday gift-giving. Others earn money for Christmas shopping or vacations by selling puppies. These breeders may not understand the need to find a compatible mate for their bitch, one of good temperament that is free of genetic diseases common to its breed. The bitch herself may be of poor temperament or may have a genetic abnormality that is not yet apparent but can cause pain to her in later years or to her offspring. They may not even realize that there is a standard for their breed. They usually do not spend the effort or money to have the bitch x-rayed for hip dysplasia, or tested for eye disease, thyroid disease, brucellosis, or autoimmune deficiencies. And they are generally not prepared to keep any puppies they cannot sell.

Responsible breeders
There are responsible breeders that breed one litter every two or three years and those that breed several litters per year, and lots in between. They test males and females for hip dysplasia, eye diseases, brucellosis (a venereal disease), and if indicated, autoimmune and thyroid diseases. They carefully select compatible males and females as parents for the litter, weed out animals of poor structure or temperament, and follow the breed standard in selecting the best show prosepects in their kennels. They bring the bitch into the house to have her puppies and accustom the puppies to the sounds and smells of an active family. They spend time with the puppies every day, handling them, checking them for problems, watching them as they grow. They know which puppy is dominant, which submissive. They have the puppies innoculated and wormed when appropriate. Responsible breeders answer buyers' questions, keep puppies they cannot place, allow bitches to recover sufficiently from one breeding before doing another, and take back any puppy that does not work out. They breed dogs because they admire their breed and want to contribute to its betterment. They guarantee their pups free of genetic diseases common in their breed and replace the pup if the disease should crop up. They consider the puppies they produce to be their responsibility for the life of that puppy, so they follow-up frequently to see what's going on. They evaluate their puppies as show and breeding quality or pet quality and sell pet puppies with a spay-neuter contract. Pet quality puppies are not deficient - they just may not meet the breed standard for size, color, coat type, bone structure, head type, etc. closely enough to be able to justify their use as breeding stock. Many responsible breeders sell pet puppies at a lower price than show puppies.

Locating a responsible breeder
Probably your best source is the national "parent club" for the breed. Area kennel clubs are excellent sources of information about local breeders. Obedience training clubs in your area sometimes also offer promising leads. Veterinarians, groomers, boarding kennel operators, and pet supply outlets may also be good sources. However, reputable does not always mean responsible. A recommendation does not preclude the need to interview the breeder.

The first interview with a breeder should be done without seeing the puppies so judgement doesn't get clouded by adorable, furry bundles. Ask to see sire and dam of the litter, if possible, and assess their temperament. If either is overprotective or very fearful, head for the door. Ask about the genetic diseases that affect the breed - you should have a good idea of what they are from your reading. Ask about the contract and the guarantee and for names of previous puppy buyers as references. Ask if dogs from this breeder are active in dog sports even if you never intend to participate. Dogs that earn obedience, tracking, hunting, herding, water, or conformation titles; work as sled dogs, therapy dogs, assistance dogs, or search and rescue dogs; or participate in sports such as agility, Frisbee, or schutzhund are definitely more trainable than those that spend all their time in the back yard. Ask to see the pedigrees of sire and dam. If there are lots of champions or titled dogs in the first few generations of the pedigree, the puppies are more likely good examples of the breed.

Expect the breeder to ask you some questions as well. After all, a responsible breeder wants to know what kind of a home and family his puppies are getting as well as the color of your money.

Questions for breeders
When you decide the time is right for a puppy, spend at least as much time looking as you would in shopping for a new car or a special dress or suit. A puppy is a long-term investment: hopefully he'll be with you for 10-12 years or more. Here's a few questions you can ask breeders to help you decide where to buy your puppy:

1. Will you help us pick the right puppy for our needs?
2. At what age do you place your puppies? (The puppies should stay with mom and littermates for a MINIMUM of 7 weeks.)
3. Are your breeding animals certified free of PRA and other eye diseases?
4. Do you guarantee the hips and eyes of the puppies? What are your terms if the puppy does develop genetic problems?
5. Can we visit the parents of the litter?
6. Will you give us the names of other puppy buyers?
7. Do you require that pet puppies be spayed or neutered?
8. Will the puppies have their first shots?

Responsible breeders are forthcoming with this information. Make sure you have the answers BEFORE you look at the puppies - it's hard to walk away from a wriggling bundle of fur that's licking your face or tugging on your ankle!

IS THIS BREEDER REPUTABLE?

How do you know if the breeder you have contacted is a person of integrity committed to bettering their particular breed? It can be tough to discern, especially if this is the first time you've sought out a purebred breeder. Following are a few guidelines to help you make that determination.

1. A reputable breeder requires that pet-quality animals be spayed or neutered. Be wary of breeders who do not mention altering.

2. A reputable breeder requires a contract, which varies from breeder to breeder, but usually spells out the rights of seller and buyer, health information, altering and return policy.

3. A reputable breeder shows a general interest in, love for, and knowledge about the breed. He or she cares about placing puppies in good homes and will often interview potential buyers thoroughly, ask for references, and refuse to sell a dog if necessary.

4. A reputable breeder will guarantee a puppy's health for a certain period of time. While no one can guarantee against inheritable diseases, a reputable breeder is well informed about genetic problems in her particular breed or bloodlines, routinely has dogs/pups tested for problems, and passes this information along to buyers. She will also have a refund/replacement policy in the event that your puppy turns out to have a genetic disorder. Beware of breeders who scoff at genetic testing and say their particular breed/line is problem-free.

5. The environment (kennel or home) in which the breeder keeps her dogs should be clean and well-maintained. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS ON THIS!

6. A reputable breeder is actively involved in the dog fancy, including showing or breed clubs. While there are exceptions - a retired individual who has shown dogs for 20 years - a person who is not involved with others in the breed can be suspect.

7. A reputable breeder is willing to provide answers to any questions you may have for the lifetime of your dog and is willing to provide names of others who have purchased her pups.

8. A reputable breeder will allow you to meet the puppy's parents - the dam should at least be available - and if the sire is does not reside at the same location, be willing to show pictures.

9. A reputable breeder follows up on puppies. He or she is interested in how the pups develop physically and mentally, difficulties in the owner/dog relationship, and health problems.

10. A reputable breeder rarely has more than 2-3 litters in a year (many have considerably less than that.) A REPUTABLE BREEDER NEVER SELLS TO A PET SHOP or through any third party, for that matter. She wants to meet the people who will purchase her puppies because she wants to make absolutely sure they are going to the best homes.